This weekend is the 18th annual event at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Fairchild continues to expand on their festival with a series of mangophile events, including a culinary conference, mango brunch, and weekend festival. This year, the mangos of India are highlighted.
The events begin Friday with an all day Mango Culinary Conference. James Beard award-winning cookbook author, TV personality, and actress Madhur Jaffrey and Miami’s Top Chef contestant Andrea Curto-Randazzo will demonstrate “East vs West: Differences in Mango Cuisine.” Chefs Allen Susser and Norman Van Aken will also participate. Tickets for the culinary conference are $60.
The festival is on Saturday and Sunday. As usual, there will be a tasting of mangos from around the world, as well as an auction of international mangos. This year, the auction will be accompanied by a Bollywood dance performance.
Mango medics will be on hand to diagnose your ailing plant. Just bring them a sample in a sealed plastic bag. There will be culinary demonstrations from chefs all weekend, including Chef John Critchley of Area 31, Aria Kagan of the Food Network, and Gonzalo Rivera of La Marea.
- Mangos at last year’s international display.
On Sunday, Madhur Jaffrey will give a mango chutney demonstration and preside over the Chutney Challenge. There will also be ongoing mango lectures, an international mango market, musical entertainment, and children’s activities. Click here for the festival schedule.
The Mango Brunch on Sunday pairs mangos from Fairchild’s Williams Grove collection with local chefs Sean Bernal, Crystal Cullison (AltaMare), Mark Militello (Trina), Gonzalo Rivera (La Marea) Kris Wessel (Red Light), Bombay Darbar Restaurant, and that champion of mangos, Allen Susser (Chef Allen’s). Tickets are still available at $100 each or $75 each for Fairchild members.
Click here to read an interview with Tropical Fruit Curator, Dr. Richard Campbell, about growing mangos in South Florida and about Fairchild’s plans to provide “boutique mangos.”
Mango Culinary Conference
When: Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami
How much: $60, register for the conference with Annie Stamps at 305.667.1651 ext. 3377
International Mango Festival
When: Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami
How much: Non-members: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and up, and $10 for children 6-17. If you ride your bike to the Festival and use the bike valet, admission is $15 for adults and $8 for children. Free to Fairchild members and children 5 and under
Mango Brunch
When: Sunday, 11 am
Where: Garden House at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami
How much: $100 for non-members, $75 for members, prepaid. Click here for more info and to buy tickets.
